Amanda Abbington, a celebrated actress known for her roles on both stage and screen, has turned down a significant financial offer to appear on Celebrity Big Brother (CBB). The decision comes after her tumultuous experience on Strictly Come Dancing last year, which left her hesitant to participate in another reality show.
Amanda’s brief time on Strictly was overshadowed by controversy involving her professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice. A long investigation into his conduct resulted in multiple complaints being upheld, making headlines and exposing the darker side of the popular dance contest.
CBB Producers Had High Hopes
The producers of Celebrity Big Brother, set to return next year on ITV, were eager to have Amanda join the lineup, believing her recent experiences could bring compelling drama to the show. They hoped she might open up about her Strictly journey, potentially adding a new layer to the reality TV show’s narrative.
However, Amanda made the discreet choice to decline the offer, citing emotional distress from her previous reality TV experience.
“Amanda decided to discreetly turn down the offer because she felt so traumatised by the last reality TV contest she was on. She couldn’t face going through all the trolling that she received when she complained about Giovanni, which made her feel like public enemy number one. The fee for taking part would have been appreciated, but she just couldn’t face it.”
Despite turning down the opportunity, Amanda harbors no ill will toward Celebrity Big Brother. The insider added:
“She will be tuning in to watch the show next year, along with the rest of the country.”
The Return of Big Brother and Its Celebrity Spin-Off
Big Brother, a reality TV pioneer, is making a grand comeback on ITV. Originally launched in 2000 on Channel 4 and hosted by Davina McCall, the show became a cultural phenomenon. After moving to Channel 5 in 2011, both Big Brother and its celebrity counterpart ran until 2018.
ITV revived the franchise last year and is preparing to bring back the celebrity edition as the show celebrates its 25th anniversary. The first-ever celebrity season in 2001 featured iconic contestants like comedian Jack Dee, who went on to win, and television presenter Vanessa Feltz.
While Amanda Abbington’s absence is a loss for the upcoming series, her decision underscores the pressures and challenges faced by public figures in reality TV.
The Information is Collected from The Sun and The Mirror.
